Stock Market & Financial Investment News

First Solar rallies after Citigroup ups price targetShares of First Solar (FSLR), which builds solar power equipment and solar energy plants, are climbing after Citigroup hiked its price target on the stock. WHAT'S NEW: In a note to investors earlier today, Citi analyst Shahriar Pourreza increased his price target on First Solar to $87 from $63. After the company last month raised its 2015 earnings per share guidance, Pourreza thinks its guidance could be conservative. The analyst expects the company's 2015 and 2016 EPS to beat expectations, as he predicts the company's operating margins will rise, while its selling prices will increase. Pourreza reiterated a Buy rating on the stock. OTHERS TO WATCH: Other publicly traded companies in the solar space include Canadian Solar (CSIQ), JA Solar (JASO), SunPower (SPWR), Trina Solar (TSL) and Yingli Green Energy (YGE). PRICE ACTION: In mid-morning trading, First Solar rose $3.61, or 5.27%, to $72.07.

JPMorgan positive on First Solar, SunPower joint venture talksJPMorgan says its initial view is positive of the First Solar (FSLR), SunPower (SPWR) advanced talks to form a joint venture. The firm believes the initial portfolio of the combined YieldCo should be 1.2GW or more, which it thinks would support "strong" dividend growth. It has an Overweight rating on both names.

First Solar gaps up after hours, levels to watchShares were last up over 11% to $55.27 following news that the company was in discussion with SunPower (SPWR) to create a joint venture YieldCo vehicle. SunPower shares were also rallying. At current price next resistance is at $56.99. Support is at $54.29.

First Solar, SunPower rally after saying they are in talks to form YieldCo Solar stocks are moving up in extended trading this afternoon after First Solar (FSLR) and SunPower (SPWR) announced that they are in advanced negotiations to form a joint YieldCo vehicle. WHAT'S NEW: First Solar and SunPower announced that they are in advanced negotiations to form a joint YieldCo vehicle to which they each expect to contribute a portfolio of selected solar generation assets from their existing portfolio of assets. Upon the execution of a master formation agreement, the parties intend to file a registration statement with the SEC for an initial public offering of limited partner interests in the YieldCo. Formation of the YieldCo and completion of the IPO are subject to, among other things, the execution of definitive documentation, each party’s board approval and regulatory approval. PRICE ACTION: First Solar is up over 10% to $54.90 in the after hours while SunPower is higher by over 12% to $31.27. OTHERS TO WATCH: Other solar stocks gaining in after-hours trading include SolarCity Corporation (SCTY), Trina Solar (TSL), JA Solar Holdings (JASO), SunEdison (SUNE), and Canadian Solar (CSIQ).

First Solar, SunPower plan to partner to form joint YieldCo vehicle First Solar (FSLR) and SunPower (SPWR) announced that they are in advanced negotiations to form a joint YieldCo vehicle to which they each expect to contribute a portfolio of selected solar generation assets from their existing portfolio of assets. Upon the execution of a master formation agreement, the parties intend to file a registration statement with the SEC for an initial public offering of limited partner interests in the YieldCo. Formation of the YieldCo and completion of the IPO are subject to, among other things, the execution of definitive documentation, each party’s board approval and regulatory approval. There is no assurance that the YieldCo will be formed or that the IPO will be consummated or that any other transaction will occur.

Deutsche, Canaccord still upbeat on SolarCity despite Q1 guidance missThe shares of SolarCity (SCTY) are falling after the company reported a higher than expected fourth quarter loss. However, Deutsche Bank and research firm Canaccord remained upbeat on the stock in notes to investors earlier today. Solarcity installs solar energy systems at residences and businesses. BACKGROUND: SolarCity reported a Q4 loss of ($1.33) per share, versus the consensus outlook for a ($1.27) per share loss. SolarCity's Q4 revenue, however, was roughly in-line with expectations and the company said that its backlog as of the beginning of 2015 was large enough to cover much of its expected installations for the first half of the year. Additionally, SolarCity reiterated its guidance for 920-1000MW of solar installations for 2015. SolarCity estimated, however, that its Q1 per share loss would come in at ($1.65)-($1.75), versus the consensus outlook for a ($1.25) per share loss. ANALYST REACTION: Deutsche Bank analyst Vishal Shah wrote that SolarCity had executed well, while demand for its installations is strong. Moreover, the company's cost reduction plan looks to be running ahead of schedule, and its 2015 shipments look poised to come in ahead of its guidance, Shah believes. The analyst did, however, write that SolarCity's Q4 bookings were "somewhat" below his expectations and declined versus Q3. Nonetheless, the analyst continued to identify the stock as one of his top picks in the solar sector and kept a $90 price target and Buy rating on the name. Also upbeat on SolarCity was Canaccord analyst Jed Dorsheimer. He raised his price target on the shares to $67 from $64 following its results. SolarCity has had record bookings over the last 30 days and the company should come close to setting a bookings record in Q1, the analyst wrote, adding that its deployments should ramp in Q2 and Q3 as seasonal factors subside. Dorsheimer kept a Buy rating on the stock. PRICE ACTION: In early afternoon trading, SolarCity fell 6.3% to $53.48. Other names in the solar sector also declined, with SunPower (SPWR) falling 1.8%, JinkoSolar (JKS) dropping 1.5%, and Vivint Solar (VSLR) losing 2.3%.

Solar stocks struggle in extended session after SolarCity resultsSolar stocks are trading down in the extended session after SolarCity (SCTY) reported a larger fourth quarter loss than expected and guided to a first quarter loss well below consensus estimates. WHAT'S NEW: Solar city said adjusted non-GAAP earnings per share for Q4 was a loss of ($1.33) against estimates of a loss of ($1.27). Revenue for the quarter was in-line at $71.8M. The company also guided for a loss of ($1.75)-($1.65) per share in the current quarter which is below analysts' average estimates for a loss of ($1.25) per share. However, the company did note, " With end-market demand healthy and growing, our installation capacity steadily ramping and a majority of our financing needs secured for the year, we remain confident in achieving our guidance to deploy 920-1000MW in 2015." PRICE ACTION: Shares of SolarCity are down over 5% to $54.01 in the after-hours session. OTHERS TO WATCH: Other stocks in the solar space trading lower in the extended session include SunPower (SPWR), SunEdison (SUNE), Vivint Solar (VSLR), and First Solar (FSLR).